Administration

KeyStore Logon & Security


Logging on to your keystore

Before you can begin protecting, unprotecting or securely deleting files, creating secure text, managing your keys or changing default settings you must logon to FAOPGP.

Window Explorer Logon
Right-click on the icon in the Windows System Tray and select

FAOPGP GUI Logon
You can also logon to FAOPGP by selecting the icon in the Windows Start Menu or from the Start > Programs > ArticSoft > FAOPGP menu. Logging on by this method also loads the FAOPGP GUI.
NOTE:  If you only intend to use Windows Explorer for the protection, unprotection and secure deletion of files then always logon via the icon in Windows Task Manager.

Regardless of the method selected, the following dialog is displayed :

Enter password
Enter your keystore password and then press

As soon as you press , and your password is accepted, your keys will be made available to FAOPGP. You can now protect, unprotect and securely delete files, create secure text and manage your keys and default settings from Windows Explorer or by using the FAOPGP GUI. The icon in the Windows System Tray will change to a brighter background and a yellow key  to let you know you are logged on.

If you press your keystore will not be opened and you will be unable to use any of FAOPGP's facilities.

The last logon date and time is always displayed for security reasons - so you know if someone has been trying to gain access to your keystore and protected files whilst you have been away from your computer.

NOTE: Where several users share a single PC, their Windows logon will determine the keystore access they are offered. Passwords are individual to keystores so in multi-user systems one user cannot use the keystore of another even if they gain access through the file system. If you try to logon with a different name to the one used when the keystore was created, you will not be able to access your keystore.



Changing your keystore password
You change your keystore password using Key Manager by pressing the icon.

The following dialog is displayed:



Once you have entered your current keystore password (Enter current password) and your new password (Enter new password and Confirm new password), the button is activated.  Pressing this button updates the keystore password.  If you decide not to change your keystore password at this time then press .

NOTE: 'Password' is not acceptable to FAOPGP as a valid password because it is seen as insecure.  If you do choose 'password', the next time you logon to your keystore, you will be prompted to change it.   Guidelines on choosing a password.



Protecting your keystore

At the very least you should activate your Windows secure screen saver (or similar security measures) when you are away from your PC to prevent other people from accessing protected files that they are not authorized to view or from signing files masquerading as you.  It will also prevent other people from importing, exporting or deleting keys that are in your keystore, changing your default settings and creating secure files and text.

The most secure approach is to log off from your keystore. To do this select from the icon in the Windows System Tray. The icon will change to a duller background and a grey key  to let you know you are logged off.



Backing up your keystore

You should backup your keystore on a regular basis because it contains all your access and trusted keys and may be difficult to replace. To backup your keystore select the icon in Key Manager. On selection of this icon you will be prompted for a filename and location where you want to store your keystore. On selection of the 'Save' button your keystore is securely backed up.

You should backup your keystore to a floppy disk, network drive, or similar device, each time changes are made to it, and then store the backup in a safe place.  You should keep a separate record of the password for the keystore you have backed up.



Restoring your keystore
To restore your keystore select the icon in Key Manager. You will be prompted for the location and filename of your keystore backup. On selecting your keystore backup file and clicking on 'Open' you will be prompted to confirm that you know the password for this keystore before it is restored. On selection of the 'Yes' button your keystore will be restored from backup. You will have to logon to your restored keystore before you can use it.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You must make sure that you have remembered the password for your keystore before you restore it. Once you have selected the 'Yes' button your old keystore is overwritten.



Sharing keystores between PCs

If you have more than one PC (a laptop and a desktop PC for example) you can use FAOPGP's keystore backup and restore facility to quickly and easily share keystores between the two PCs.  Just backup a keystore on one PC and restore it to the other.  Remember to always backup and restore your most up-to-date keystore.